After the craziest year OYAMA has seen, God was still at work in and faithful to our students and us. Here's a bit about what's happened in the last couple months:
- All 4 of our OYAMA students, 1 Compass student, Brittany & myself served at Summit, our statewide pastors conference for the Oregon Ministry Network. It was the first event all of our students were able to serve at since COVID shut everything down and we LOVED it.
- Only two weeks later, we served at 2 Amplify Fine Arts Conferences, one in Albany and the other in Bend. Normally, there is just one, but this year - to maintain social distancing and size restrictions - there were 2 back-to-back.
We love events, we love serving and getting to see other pastors in the state. However, it is a rough time financially for our students because of all the work they have to take off, but it's also an amazing time for students to experientially learn the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord.
- Our 2 second-year students, Alexis & Sarah, were celebrated at Northwest University, Oregon's graduation for earning their certificate of ministry. We are so proud of them! They officially have every class needed to move forward with their credentials with the Assemblies of God.
We celebrated our end of the year with a trip to Red Robin. Because we have extended the program, our summer will look different this year, with some familiar things as well.
- Our two first year students, Nick & Kaity, will be interning with Neighborhood Church in Albany through September with a brief pause in August when they get married! Then, they'll begin a new internship, but more on that later.
- Alexis & Sarah will continue with their respective internships through fall. They will be interviewed by pastors from all over our state in September and will accept a position by October when they will graduate from the program.
- In the next month, we will interview our potential students for next year. Please be in prayer for us - for wisdom, discernment, etc. - and for them.
- I am also working on implementing our summer curriculum where I'll meet with the students every other week or so to discuss things like who the AG is, why we exist as a denomination, and more. I am excited to have extra time with them!
- At the end of this month, we are headed to Pendleton with the rest of the Youth Alive team and others to put on Pendleton High School's graduation. Youth Alive & Pendleton First have helped with this for years and we love being a blessing to my hometown!
Brittany and I continue to be humbled by the responsibility and calling God has given us. So many churches and pastors contact us as well as US Missionary, Tom Bachman, asking for help, asking if we know anyone looking for a job. Our state desperately needs pastors! We are passionate about discipling and raising them up. Brittany is also entering her coaching season at McNary (basketball is normally in the winter, but got pushed back to COVID), so that will be something to figure out for us in this year where everyone has to be flexible. We continue to serve the Oregon Gen Now leadership team in any ways that we can & are looking forward to summer (well, I don't love the heat, but we can get out and disc golf more...😆)
Thank you again for your continued prayer and financial support. Please consider joining our team of monthly supporters! Sign up here at https://giving.ag.org/ and type in 282345 as the ministry code. We are always excited to come speak at churches, youth groups, etc. and are humbled when you partner with us in any way. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
- Daimian
